Kamala Harris’ husband, Doug Emhoff, shared the awkward story of how the couple met during his speech at the Democratic National Convention last night.
Emhoff, a lawyer, was set up on a blind date with Harris by a client who gave her his phone number in 2013.
He then left her a clumsy voice note that she now makes him listen to on every anniversary.
“For generations, people have debated when to call the person you’re being matched with. Never in history has anyone suggested calling at 8:30 a.m.,” Emhoff joked to the crowd.
Although Harris couldn’t be in the audience to see the speech, she shared a touching image of herself watching it on X-rated with the caption, “I love you, Dougie.”
Emhoff then retweeted the photo with just four words: “I love you too.”
Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff speaks on stage during the second day of the Democratic National Convention
Kamala Harris and Emhoff arrive together for an official state dinner at the White House on April 10
Supporters applaud Emhoff as he talks about how he and Harris met
“I got Kamala’s answering machine and I just started talking non-stop: ‘Hi, this is Doug. I’m going to a meeting first thing in the morning. This is Doug again,'” he continued.
“I remember trying to get the words out of the air and put them back into my mouth. And after what seemed like too many minutes, I hung up.
“By the way, Kamala saved that voicemail and makes me listen to it every anniversary,” he added.
Fortunately for Emhoff, he won’t have to wait much longer this year, as the couple will celebrate their 10th anniversary on Thursday, when Harris speaks at the convention in Chicago.
Emhoff told the crowd that Harris finally called him again around lunchtime and the two laughed together.
They married just a year later.
“You know that laugh! I love that laugh!” Emhoff said, referring to the criticism Harris has received for it.
She continued: “She finds joy in the pursuit of justice. She stands up to bullies, just like my parents taught me to do.”
“She likes to see people prosper, but she hates being treated unfairly.”
Emhoff’s children, Ella and Cole, were in the audience at the convention as their father gave his speech.
Kamala Harris with her husband and stepchildren Cole and Ella Emhoff
Delegates and attendees hold signs with the word “Doug” during his speech at the convention
Emhoff, a lawyer, was set up on a blind date with Harris by a client who gave her his phone number in 2013 (pictured together)
Emhoff told the crowd that Harris finally called him again around lunchtime and the two laughed together.
The couple greet members of the Aliquippa High School football team during a campaign stop at their school on Aug. 18.
She talked about how Harris has loved her stepchildren, calling them while she’s been on the campaign trail.
Emhoff said: “That’s Kamala. Those kids are her priorities and that scene was a perfect map to her heart.”
“She has always been there for our children and I know she will be there for yours too.”
Delegates are preparing to nominate Vice President Harris as their presidential nominee later this week instead of President Joe Biden.
In June, Biden was still the candidate Democrats were willing to nominate, but this was thrown into doubt in early July after his disastrous debate performance against Donald Trump.
On July 21, the president officially ended his reelection campaign and endorsed Harris. A day later, she won enough delegates to become the likely nominee for November.
Second gentleman Doug Emhoff leaves the stage after speaking during the second day of the Democratic National Convention.
Emhoff joins Harris on the campaign trail on August 18
She talked about how Harris has loved her stepchildren, calling them that while on the campaign trail.
Last night, Michelle Obama told the convention crowd that Harris is “my girl” and called on the Democratic Party to unite behind her after Obama’s inner circle was accused of helping force Joe Biden out of the race.
He also uttered a series of harsh insults directed at Donald Trump.
At one point, dropping the microphone and sparking a frenzied reaction from the audience, she said of Trump: “Who’s going to tell him that the job he’s currently looking for might be one of those black jobs?”
The Obamas spoke as Harris held a rally 90 miles away, sparking speculation that the White House is angry about the role they allegedly played in Biden’s resignation.
Michelle declared that “hope is returning” as she entered the arena Tuesday night after Harris was formally declared the Democratic presidential nominee.